New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-09
PROTECTION NOT ONE-SIDED.

Canadian manufacturers in consultation for
mally resolve that they want no reciprocity
in trade with this country, declare that 1t would
ruin their industries, and petition their Govern
ment not to yield to the clamor of interested
parties who seek their own advantage at the
expense of their country. This decision Free
Trade journals expect Americans to condemn.
Yet there is no reason for consuming it; no
reason why the people of tho United States
should regret it. SO long as Canada prefers
a separate national existence, it should be OK
pected to develop distinctive industrial Or
ganization and life, and that policy which
would make Canada most prosperous in the
long run would render her in the long run
most valuable to the United States as a neigh
Dor and as a customer in trade.
So France once more raises the duties ON
certain agricultural products, striving earnest
ly, whether wisely or unwisely, to defend the
farming industry Of that country. Free Traders
hold I'D this as new evidence that protection
in this country prompts retaliation elsewhere.
and Injuries American farmers 10y closing French
markets against their products. But tho
truth is that the French policy is not at all
rctaliatOry in origin or character, but dis
tinctively national. The farm owners and
workers of France cast large proportion OF
the votes by which the Government Is sus-
tanned, and that Government is not so unwise
as 10 neglect their interests. But harm is done
TO the producers of this country, it is SAID.
Immediately, il is true, greater tax must be
paid. either by American shippers, by French
consumers, or by both. But that is insig-
nifcant compared with the advantages which
result from broad and enduring national
prosperity. France prosperous is infinitely
more beneficial to us as a customer, and IN
every relation Of commerce and industry, than
France prostaafcd and impoverished. Whether
the French policy is wisely adapted to develop
the resources of that country, and TO secure It's
lasting and highest prosperity, is another ques
ton. but if it is truly protective
policy, there is no reason why people OF Tins
country should not regard 1t as blessing tt
them in the long run, as well as to the French
people.
The intelligent protectionist believes thai
every nation ought TO develop and defend it'
own industries 1t should choose for itsei
that form of development which is adapted Il
it's natural resources, TO the pecuiarites anc
the penius of its people. to their surrounding
and opportunities. The tariff that is nationally
protective for Canada would not be Just thu
one perhaps, for the United States, and tn
tariff which grandly develops the industries o
this country would not do for France at all
Each nation rightly considers that it owes ID
first duty to its own people, and that it Cal
in no way benefit other nations more than b!
rendering its own people prosperous, by en-
aiding them to contribute more largely to tn
aggregate production by which the wants o
mankind arc supplied. and in consequence
to consume more largely Of the products o
other lands. No nation can expect TO dcvelo
such national, wholesome and enduring In
dustrial life which leaves its industries pei
pctually exposed to the destructive warfare o
foreign competition. Every nation may mas
take, in judging of the measure or kind OF dc
fence that its industries require for their bes
development, as Spain has for long time bee
mistaking. But the purpose Of defensive egl'
lation is one in perfect harmony with the bes
interests of each nation and Of all mankind